Phil Parkinson: Honoured by Wrexham and utterly dedicated to the cause

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Hull City being pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City means the gap between Wrexham and that all-important sixth place has been halved to just two points with three games still to play. Derby County, the other side hoping to capitalise on a Hull slip-up, also won, 1-0 at home to Oxford United. The perfect end, therefore, to a memorable week for Parkinson, whose deeds in leading the club to three successive promotions had been formally recognised by Madame Mayor Tina Mannering in a ceremony at Wrexham’s Guildhall last Tuesday. “A real honour and a great recognition,” says the 58-year-old, whose side are now guaranteed to achieve the highest league placing in Wrexham’s history after this latest triumph. “Going down to the civic hall to receive the award gave me a chance to reflect on where we have come as a club and the impact on the community. A win like this caps the week.” The freedom of the borough is the highest civic honour Wrexham Borough Council can bestow. Recent recipients include the Royal Navy ship HMS Dragon and Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. Today, it is a largely symbolic award, rather than providing the kind of ancient rights that endure elsewhere in Britain. Those given the freedom of the City of London, for instance, enjoy the right to drive sheep, toll-free, over Southwark Bridge. A practice that dates back to the 13th century, when this was the only means of crossing the River Thames, Hollywood actor Damian Lewis, granted the freedom of the English capital in 2013, duly exercised this ancient right a couple of years ago when helping to herd a flock of sheep through the city for charity. Sadly, the prospect of Parkinson doing the same in north Wales is slim. No such privileges apply to anyone granted the freedom of Wrexham, though the crew of HMS Dragon was allowed to march through the city last year as part of their ship receiving civic recognition. “Today, it is almost entirely symbolic,” a spokesperson for Wrexham Borough Council tells The Athletic about the award. “Not a source of practical benefits, but it does carry tradition, public recognition, and a few ceremonial ‘rights’. “It’s only when it’s granted to military that it gives the right to march through Wrexham — otherwise, military had to traditionally stay outside a city.” For now, then, Parkinson will have to limit himself to the football pitch. In that respect, Saturday’s win was as comfortable as it comes, thanks to two goals in 69 first-half seconds. George Thomason was credited with the first after hapless goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu flapped at his 31st-minute corner, though Josh Windass was adamant he got a touch at the back post. Windass definitely scored the second, Wrexham’s top scorer latching on to an underhit backpass by Aaron Cresswell to nudge the ball past Bazunu. Victory, together with Tomoki Iwata’s late equaliser for Birmingham at Hull, sets up a thrilling finale that could yet see a tilt at the Championship play-offs added to Parkinson’s growing roll-call of honours since taking charge of Wrexham in 2021. His hat-trick of promotions, plus now the freedom of the borough, are deserved rewards for how he has thrown himself into the job from the very start, upping sticks to move to the area and leave behind the rest of his family at their West Yorkshire home. This has meant spending huge chunks of the past five years apart, a sacrifice he felt worth making to get an insight into what makes this community tick. That connection has helped form the decision-making that has taken Wrexham through the leagues at a rapid pace. His dedication knows no bounds, with Parkinson often giving up further precious family time on days off to scout an opponent or player. One prime example came during last season’s run-in when upcoming opponents Wigan Athletic were playing at Exeter City on a Tuesday night. Some managers would have delegated another member of staff to attend, but not Parkinson, who took training in the morning as normal before making the 500-mile round trip to Devon, only returning home in the early hours. This willingness to go the extra mile could yet be rewarded with the equivalent of footballing immortality, as Wrexham continue to chase a play-off place that would then open up the possibility of completing the leap from non-League to the Premier League via the quickest route possible. Hull remain favourites to extend their season beyond May 2 among the trio of teams chasing sixth, certainly according to Opta’s supercomputer. Before Saturday, its 10,000 simulations of how the season will pan out predicted Hull to finish sixth with an average of 73.78 points, well clear of Wrexham (69.33 points) and Derby (68.69 points). Even after Hull were pegged back by Birmingham, Opta still expect the Yorkshire side to prevail, albeit with a slightly reduced average points tally of 73.08, compared to 70.57 for Wrexham and 69.8 for Derby. Wrexham’s run-in looks the hardest on paper, albeit with the rider that pressure can get to teams at this time of the season, with Hull now having won just two of their last nine league games. Having already clinched the club’s highest-ever league place, eclipsing the previous best of 15th in the old Second Division set in 1978-79, Parkinson’s relentless pursuit of success means there may well be at least one more twist. “The aim has always been to take this to the wire,” he adds. “Birmingham have done us a favour and we go to Oxford (United on Tuesday) with renewed optimism and confidence.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms